BISHOP JOSEPH'S THANKSGIVING POST

Bishop Eli, Elmer and myself are rotating this year.  It seems we do the same post for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years each year.  So, this year, we are doing a different post to show what is in our hearts and our outlook.  Give you thought you maybe hadn't thought of.

There really can't be a different view with the Lord.  We should always give thanks to the Lord.  In our prayers we should thanks and praise.  We remember to thank the Lord for things He does directly to us like heals the sick, sees something we have for sale sells, provides something that we need and many more..  We also remember to pray for our children, our ministers, our friends and other relatives.

But, do we think to pray to the Lord for all those that don't know the Lord, for those that do things for us - some of which we take for granite.  The people we don't think to give thanks for and pray for.  How about the person that delivers your paper, the doctor you went to last week, the person that checked your groceries, your child's teacher in school, the person that baked you cookies, the President, our police, the ambulance driver, our firemen, and more. Oh, yes we thank them when they do something for us, but do we pray for them?  Do we thank the Lord for these people?

Someone once told me that they couldn't pray for a certain person because they did not know their needs or problems.  My answer is you don't need to know their needs or what their problems are.  The Lord knows, we don't need to know.  What the person needs is our prayer.  We all need prayers and so do others.

Jesus sacrificed His life for all of us.  He didn't pick anyone out by color, creed, male or female, people who knew Him, or people who didn't know Him.  He died for all people.  So we should thank the Lord for all people and pray for them.  What would our life be without these people?

So at this time of Thanksgiving, we should thank and praise the Lord, not only for our gifts, but theirs and in praying for our needs - others needs too.  I know, I am kind of selfish when it comes to praying.  I think of those close to me, but not others in my daily life.  So, do not feel your alone.  We must become aware of those around us in our prayer.

Also, as this is the beginning of the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's season, to keep what the Lord did in our mind.  I know it is hard with buying presents, decorating your home, baking and more.  We see the worldly way, but we must keep in our hearts the real reason.

I think I am taking a bit of Elmer's from last year.  Does it really matter if everyone gets a Christmas present especially if you don't have the fiances?  Does it really matter if you bake all those cookies, pies, cakes, and fudge?  Does it really matter if you attend all those Christmas Sales, parties, or whatever.  Will you friend be upset if you can't get them the gift they wanted or even if you don't give them a gift at all?  If you can't give someone a gift, pray for them.  That is the greatest gift you could give them.

Enjoy this Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Season.  It should be a time that we realize, appreciate and thank Jesus for all He has done for us.  Also, a time to share this with our friends and relatives.  A gift is nice, but not necessary.  Love, prayer, praise for all are the seasons.

Martha, I and our family wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Celebrate the Lord,
Bishop Joseph